HeartCry!

The Weakest Link

A couple of days ago I was reading an excellent article written by J.A. Matteson over at Faith Defenders, addressing the subject of the eternal security of the elect of God. This is something that holds deep meaning for me, just as with many others, for it is the very thing that has plagued my mind over the years. I don’t think I was alone in the charismatic churches I belonged to, where on one hand I would boldly proclaim my salvation in Christ as most definite, and underneath the surface, that boldness would be nothing more than a façade. Since the Lord has graciously led me to a more informed understanding of reformed doctrine, and the reality of His providence over my life and all that is in it, I truly have found a Rock on which to stand, both in public and in the most darkest hours.

In the comment thread that followed the post, I ended up making a reply to a lady who remarked strongly against the idea of our eternal security, at least from the reformed perspective, and instead laid the success of our salvation upon the believers own faithfulness. To someone such as myself, who has been brought out of a place of fear of losing my salvation, because I know I am too weak to hold on, this challenge is extremely offensive to me. What is more, and this is my own personal opinion only, I believe is offensive to God also.

I would just like to paint a little picture to explain my own understanding, and if wrong about this, please someone put me right, as this has so far been crucial to my understanding:

If a heavy stainless steel chain was stretched between two immovable rocks, and the links of that chain were solid throughout it’s length, then it would be virtually immovable too. However if one link of that chain was weakened anywhere throughout the length, the whole set up could not be stronger than the weakest link. In effect, it would mean nothing how strong the rocks the chain was connected to, but simply how weak was the weakest link of the chain.

So it is with our faith in Christ for salvation. On the heavenly side we have the Father choosing us, and calling us to be with Him. And on the earthly side, we have the very sacrifice of Christ crucified and risen again, that makes that journey possible. These would be like the two immovable rocks in the illustration. However if there was any reliance at all upon my own faithfulness to hold on till the end, I become the weakest link in the chain, and the strength of both Father and Son is nullified!

The crux of the matter then is, how do I hold on? After all, if I don’t, then it’s true I am lost without any doubt whatsoever.

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)

God does not make guarantees without being able to back them up, and most certainly does not leave the authenticity of His guarantee at the mercy of us, in any way, shape or form!

What I have come to realise is that, whilst it’s utterly ridiculous to suggest that if I don’t hold on until the end, I will be saved anyway. It is not I but the Holy Spirit who holds on, and so it remains solely by the hand of the Lord, and not I, that I am saved for eternity. I know that beyond doubt, from before I even knew God existed, to the most distant points in eternity, God has placed His hand upon my life to save me from eternal destruction. Why? I have absolutely no idea, other than His love knows no bounds. But the truth of this makes an everlasting fount of thanksgiving bubble up from my innermost being, and leaves me with no room to boast in my own strength, my own wisdom, or my own faithfulness whatsoever.

So finally I would like to leave you with a different illustration to emphasize my point:

Take something as flimsy as a loaf of bread, and then bury a solid stainless steel link in the very centre of it. Then attach a solid stainless steel chain to each side of the link, as with the illustration previously. If we looked upon this set up we would see two rocks either side, with a chain attached to each, and all being supported by a loaf of bread! In truth, would this have anything to do with the strength of the loaf of bread, or the stainless steel link buried at the heart of it?

Only One Way of Salvation

Is there more than one road to Heaven? Is there more than one way in which the soul of man can be saved? This is the question which I propose to consider in this paper, and I shall begin the consideration by quoting a text of Scripture: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

These words are striking in themselves; but they are much more striking if we observe when and by whom they were spoken. They were spoken by a poor and friendless Christian, in the midst of a persecuting Jewish Council. It was a grand confession of Christ.

They were spoken by the lips of the Apostle Peter. This is the man who, a few weeks before, forsook Jesus and fled: this is the very man who three times over denied his Lord. There is another spirit in him now! He stands up boldly before priests and Sadducees, and tells them the truth to their face: “This is the stone that was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

First, let me explain the doctrine laid down by St. Peter Continue reading ‘Only One Way of Salvation’

Originally posted 2009-11-20 12:09:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter